A Wrist Injury Has Forced Rafael Nadal To Withdraw From Title Defenses In Canada And Cincinnati

It is a shame what is happening to Nadal.I hope he will be fine for US Open.I’m not going to say ‘Stay Healthy’ like a Giles but I hope he recovers soon.Sincerely.

July 30th, 2014 at 1:26 pm

This is a real bummer! Hope you recover well Rafa.
Vamos!

July 30th, 2014 at 1:34 pm

sad to hear. Hope he recovers very quickly.

but i am suprised. del potro missed the whole season apart from 2,3 tournies at the beginning and he is still in the top 10

July 30th, 2014 at 1:41 pm

Nadal always comes back with a vengeance after an injury.
The first time he took timeout for injury in 2009, he has an amazing 2010.
For similar reasons he had an amazing 2013.
watch out for Rafa 2015.

July 30th, 2014 at 1:42 pm

Hope hes fit for the USO,im sure the haters will take such delight in gloating about this,and wish him otherwise,best of luck Rafa whatever happens….

July 30th, 2014 at 1:42 pm

Have a feeling Rafa may not win the USO this year, he won’t be having enough match practice and confidence to defend the USO title.

Where does that leave Djoko ? A sure shot to No.1 this year?

July 30th, 2014 at 2:00 pm

Jesus!!
That is the thing with this sport, anytime, anywhere and you can have something that doesn’t allow you to play.

I remember one time just during warm out when I hit the third serve and that was it. Felt a burn in my shoulder and couldn’t serve or move my arm higher then shoulder level without pain. We just have to hit some ball. Till this day during work out every now and then I fell a linger.

Don’t know what is worst, having something like this in practice or in real match.
Bad, bad news, was really excited to see if Nadal would have play the same way as last year, close to baseline and aggressive on returns. Well, he will still have US Open where with the easy rounds he can get match play but this is definitely one of the worst news for him.

July 30th, 2014 at 2:07 pm

Bummer.
Giles you have jinxed him with too many “stay healthy champ” quotes ;).
Would have rathered seeing him get beat on the court than get beat by injury. Said it years ago, his body type is not built ideally for Tennis. That said, again big bummer. Get well soon King of Clay, hope you can play USO.

July 30th, 2014 at 2:08 pm

This is worrisome. The NY Times article said that Rafa needed to keep his wrist immobilized for 2-3 weeks. Rafa has had a lot of injuries in the past but they were mainly related to his knees. This year he started off with a back injury and now a wrist injury. Bummer.

July 30th, 2014 at 2:14 pm

Injury season started early this year. But I will be back.

July 30th, 2014 at 2:14 pm

contemporany,

Nadal will be less 2000 points in ATP rankings, with only 5 tournaments fro him to play: US Open (2000 pts), Beijing (500 pts), Shangai (1000 pts), Paris (1000 pts) and WTF (1500 pts).
Out of this 6000 pts, he has to defends 4020 pts, so he can only gain 1980 if he wins everything.

So unless Djokovic has similar fortune with injury or doesn’t play at all, very likely he will finish this year #1 with this news.

After the tow masters which begin next week we will know better (if he wins 1 of them).

Fed will be seeded #2 in this next 2 tournaments and Murray will jump to 8 with Nadal and DelPo out.

July 30th, 2014 at 2:17 pm

His body type is not built for tennis,hmm must be doing something right though to have won 14 GS,and all those other titles,but whatever??

July 30th, 2014 at 2:18 pm

I understand this injury has nothing to do with wimbledon, and occurred just recently, but I would like to see the stat of how often he pulls out of the next tournament following a early loss at the previous grand slam. just saying…
not hating… just curious…

July 30th, 2014 at 2:18 pm

FedExpress – most of DelPo’s points that are keeping him in the top 10 are from the second half of 2013. Hopefully he can come back soon and defend some of those. It’ll be a shame for him to slide down the rankings because of his wrist injury.

July 30th, 2014 at 2:20 pm

Adam he lost 1st round at Wimbledon last year,yet played and won both Toronto and Cincy….

July 30th, 2014 at 2:23 pm

Alison,
Yes, he is that good to have amassed all that with the body type he has. If he had a Fec or Nole type frame, he most likely would have more Slams than Fed by now.

July 30th, 2014 at 2:32 pm

Skeezer well guess thats one thing we will never know,we can but only speculate on such things?

July 30th, 2014 at 2:41 pm

I told poeple that Nadal won’t defend any of the North American title. People jeered me. Wait for more surprise…

July 30th, 2014 at 2:51 pm

RAFA 2015 will be disaster…same exact things won’t happen. Mark my words..He won’t even retain his French Open in 2015. From then, his form will plummet forcing him to retire at the end of 2015 or at some point in 2016. Last year, I predicted 14 Grandslams for Rafa or at best 15. He’ll never better Federer’s record

July 30th, 2014 at 2:57 pm

“Said it years ago, his body type is not built ideally for Tennis.” Pointless comment for a wrist injury. More great tennis players than not have had wrist injuries, and with a wide variety of body types. Even “perfect body” Nole! The stresses are high on the wrist joints no matter what body you have. I’ll buy that overuse is a problem, particularly in those who use the double-handed backhand, but body type? Show me the science that Nadal’s body type caused his wrist problem . . .

July 30th, 2014 at 3:00 pm

skeezer,

just when I thought you couldn’t sound any more dense, there you go proving me wrong. let me get this straight, nadal has the wrong body type for tennis, which according to you is largely responsible for a lot of his injuries. however, if he were to have novak’s or roger’s body type he would most likely have more slams. if your reasoning is suppose to be rational, and if novak has the right body type for tennis why doesn’t he have as many or more slams than roger? im just curios, considering that you always have all the answers.

July 30th, 2014 at 3:01 pm

Skeezer im not saying your dense,but Mem and Ruby do have a point though dont you think?

July 30th, 2014 at 3:11 pm

Might as well hand Djoker #1 trophy right now.

It doesn’t matter for Rafa, really playing for his leagacy right now. Only 3 slams away from Roger, though I think it will be difficult to attain.

Fed will finish with 17-18 grand slams where Rafa will have 15-16. Though I will have to say Rafa is the better player based on head to head.

Interested to see where Djoker goes, I can see 5 more grand slams and end up in the 12-14 range as well.

Wow, what a great era for tennis. Hopefully we can squeeze out a few more years.

July 30th, 2014 at 3:16 pm

:( :( :(

I guess this is why he said he wasn’t favorite to finish at no. 1. Will he be able to play at the USO?

July 30th, 2014 at 3:16 pm

Tennis Lover with a space,Rafa has catagorically stated that he loves tennis and has no intention of retiring just yet,and he wants to play the Olympics in Rio in 2016 which are on clay his favorite surface….

July 30th, 2014 at 3:20 pm

Tennis Lover. Here we are discussing Rafa’s wrist injury and there you are predicting disastrous times for him and all because you don’t want Fed’s GS’s to be equalled or surpassed. You are one sick dude and of course you are a Fedfan!! Pffffffffft

July 30th, 2014 at 3:25 pm

I have a gut feeling the USO will be questionable too. This injury sounds serious to me. He can’t worry about defending points at this stage …….He needs to get well. He can always claw his way back….he’s done it before! I want him to get all the way healed and not push his return until for sure he’s ready!!

July 30th, 2014 at 3:28 pm

USO he will be a bit tentative with fear or hurting or re-hurting. Very hard to imagine him winning a major after 3 weeks out with a injury that will affect his backhand.

We’ll know better once he stars hitting ball again somewhere in the next 15-20 days.
He will probably know if he will play USO or not during Cincy or few days later.

July 30th, 2014 at 3:36 pm

I have no unrealistic expectations of him winning the USO,ATM im just hoping he plays there,hope its not too serious and this is hopefully just damage limitation….

July 30th, 2014 at 3:47 pm

bbsocrates i like you summary :-)).

July 30th, 2014 at 3:56 pm

^Sorry your summary^….

July 30th, 2014 at 3:56 pm

I was thinking it might be him working on his serve for the HC season but if it’s his right wrist….?

July 30th, 2014 at 4:04 pm

Chance of winning Slam after 30 is really small. In the open era only a few have done it: Ashe (1), Connors (1), Sampras (1), Agassi (2), Federer (1), Korda (1), Andre Gomez (1) and Laver (4).

bbsocrates,

Agree with you regarding potential number of Slams by players, not the part of Nadal better on HxH.
Nadal will play 6 more Slams before he reaches 30 on May 2016 during RG: USO 14′ ???, AO 15′, RG 15, W 15′, USO 15 and AO 16′. After that he has history and father time against him.
Can’t see him winnign Wimbleodn next year nor US Open this year with this news.
Assuming he will win 1 Slam after 30 as did some of the above, he needs to win 2 more out of this next 6 Slams or 4 (if takes out USO this year and Wimby next year) to tie Federer, also assuming Fed doesn’t add any more. Or win 3 out of this 6 and not win over 30.

Can he do it? Still yes, but with this news, most likely missing US Open or playing under cooked most likely not. But if he wins this year US Open after this news and not playing both Masters would be a bigger laugh (as roy pointed out) than his results last year:-)

Anyway, he just have to focused on getting better and back to the scene for us to have a competitive end of the year.

July 30th, 2014 at 4:23 pm

Daniel,

take a chill pill! my goodness, you worry too much about nadal and the future. first and foremost, like many fedfans, you are very much concerned about the possibility of rafa getting closer to roger’s record. that is what this is all about! calm down, everything unfolds in time. you people are so predictable with the same nonsense every time nadal withdraws from a tournament. keep wishing for his demise and im sure sooner or later he will retire and you will get your wish. the same thing over and over and over and over…we get it! my goodness, the guy just announced his withdrawal, who cares about what will or will not happen at the uso or when he is 30 years old. does he control his age? do you control your age? does anybody control their age? what will happen remains to be seen and we will all see in time, won’t we?

July 30th, 2014 at 4:49 pm

Rafa has proven with his body type he can play AND be great. No argument there. Am just saying that his body type is not the IDEAL body type for Tennis that requires a ton of flexibility. Apparently I have to explain that? LOL.
This in turn for him MAY be the cause of his career being laden with injuries. That is my opinion, as dense as it may be.

@mem,
Am glad I am living up to your expectations.

July 30th, 2014 at 5:00 pm

If history is to repeat itself Rafa will not play USO. In 2012, after Wimbledon defeat, Rafa was coming back for every next tournamet just not to come back for seven months, wrist injury is tricky one, let us wait and see what will happened in a few weeks time. Uncle Toni knows what’s best for his nephew.

July 30th, 2014 at 5:02 pm

mem,

I am calm. Just speculating as usual. This is big news, some were considering him co favorite for USO a few days ago, now it changes everything. We won’t even know if he will play.

The GOAT debate concerns me and I pointed out that this year could be the defining point and depending on how many Slams they finish by the year due to both getting older by the year.

And you are right, none knows the future, we can only anticipate and evaluate some data to get a closer view but I care about the future, if you don’t good for you. Maybe is part of my job trying to anticipate every move and evaluate all scenarios to not get a bad surprise on the horizon.

July 30th, 2014 at 5:09 pm

Well if history does repeat itself and Rafa withdraws from the USO like in 2012,then i hope we have the same USO champion that we had in 2012,no Rafa then lets go Andy,about time you got back into the winners circle again….

July 30th, 2014 at 5:13 pm

remember that Nadal is a right hander who plays tennis with his left hand. If his left wrist is injured, he can play with his right hand.

July 30th, 2014 at 5:17 pm

… entering a den of lions…

Rafa’s right wrist is crucial to his game. With over 300 wedgies per match to deal with, his game is shot without that handy tool. ;)

July 30th, 2014 at 5:19 pm

Nole and Roger are the favourites in Both rogers cup abd cincy.
Fed and nole were the players to beat from Dubai to miami. So their game will be right there.

Rafa will have a tough time but he will be back with a vengeance as always…

Us open are pretty wide open. Stand now

July 30th, 2014 at 5:28 pm

@Patrick
Ok. That was hecka funny, LOL! and timely. There are some here that don’t enjoy the humor in life though. So expect retribution and vile and whatnot. Blog on ;)

July 30th, 2014 at 5:37 pm

Daniel,

you are certainly free to run yourself into the ground over something you have no control over. if it makes you feel better to speculate then knock yourself out. all I am concerned with is that nadal is doing what is best for him. if it is necessary for him to skip a couple of tournaments and lose some points, then so be it. there are some things more important than ranking points. I wish the best for him in whatever he does and I am proud to be one of his fans. he has earned every bit of what he has achieved and I value his contributions to tennis. I will truly miss him in these two tournaments, but sometimes you have to lose to gain. as long as he comes back healthy, happy, and ready; as far as im concerned, that’s all that matters. he’s special and he is a blessing to tennis, even though some people will not realize it until he’s gone.

as always, wishing rafa all the best!

July 30th, 2014 at 5:40 pm

https://mobile.twitter.com/ellis17brice/status/494593347034824705
Hey skeezer. You want humour? Enjoy!
Patrick . You as well.

July 30th, 2014 at 5:44 pm

For Rafans who want to read more. Cast for 2-3 weeks? Whoa. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/31/sports/tennis/wrist-injury-forces-rafael-nadal-out-of-two-us-open-tuneups.html?referrer=&_r=0

July 30th, 2014 at 5:45 pm

@Giles
Is that a tit for tat thingy you just tried?

July 30th, 2014 at 5:46 pm

skeezer. No tits and no tats, just humour. You like humour no?

July 30th, 2014 at 5:50 pm

skeezer,
]
you didn’t answer my question. since you always have all the answers, I figure it’s best to ask someone who knows everything.

July 30th, 2014 at 5:50 pm

mem,
No need to repeat myself, your answer was in the 5:00 post.
oh and have a nice day, and a better tomorrow.

By the way, you need to sharpen your mental skills. Saying I am dense then saying I know everything doesn’t make sense. Choose one and run with it.

July 30th, 2014 at 6:00 pm

@Skeezer, I’m going off on a tangent from your post at 2:32pm, but I wonder – would Rafa play the same style of tennis if he had a different body type? It’s an interesting question as to how much one’s body type affects one’s playing style. I don’t know if there’s any science on this (and am admittedly too lazy to look it up) but I suspect most world class athletes figure out the best game/playing style for their body types as they need to play within their means.

July 30th, 2014 at 6:19 pm

Rafa is tired from watching soccer, so he won’t be wagging his index finger at Novak. Hopefully, he will acknowledge that Novak had real wheat allergy when humble rafa didn’t have his vacations with “injuries”.

July 30th, 2014 at 6:21 pm

I hope he recovers well enough to play at the US Open. Even though I would not like him to equal Federer’s majors record, I still feel bad that injuries would play a significant role in preempting this possibility. My attitude is, if Nadal can surpass Federer’s record, so be it. I hate to see anybody fail to reach his full potential. That goes with del Potro, too.

July 30th, 2014 at 6:55 pm

By the way, Nadal’s body type has allowed him to win 14 majors and dominate the guy who has 17. I guess that’s not exactly a wrong body type for tennis.

July 30th, 2014 at 6:57 pm

I will wag a finger at him……the pointer finger signaling to him to come hither and I will be glad to help him with those 300 wedgies afore mentioned above by the in house comedian, Sir Patrick!! Tee hee!! Not really…..considering my age, he would be considered jail bait by US standards. LOL

All jokes aside, hope he recovers quickly and gets back in action soon……but not too soon…..want him healed. A small detachment of posterior sheath sounded a little serious to my nurse friend, but I guess we will see. USO might be out of the question this year.

July 30th, 2014 at 6:58 pm

skeezer,

realistically, you can be dense but in your own mind THINK THAT YOU KNOW EVERYTHING! anyway, you’re are trying to avoid answering the question; is it because you don’t know the answer?

July 30th, 2014 at 7:23 pm

Horrible news. Really takes him out of contention for USO, and means Fed will likely move back to #2.

Its bad for tennis, of course, but it will give some of these newcomers clawing at the gates an opportunity to make more noise than they would have. In the next few months, we will see a LOT of Raonic, Dmitrov, Nishikori, and MAYBE Thiem and Kyrgios.

July 30th, 2014 at 8:17 pm

Also bound to put a spring in Novak and Fed’s steps. They will both come into the USO feeling very good about their chances.

July 30th, 2014 at 8:18 pm

Sorry for Rafa and his fans. Whoever your fav is, Rafa is great for the sport and fun to watch. Trust me Rafans, as a Delpo fan, I know how you feel when a player has a wrist issues. Hope it is minor (like Nole’s must have been) and he’s back at the USO.

July 30th, 2014 at 8:38 pm

@Giles
Those albinos always break me up.

@Okiegal
Speaking of age, I’m probably the oldest fart on this board.
Everyone over 60 raise your hands.

July 30th, 2014 at 8:44 pm

@Patrick

Hand raised very very high!! Lol

July 30th, 2014 at 9:11 pm

Thanks Emily for your condolences regarding Rafa. I was concerned for Del Po too. I was so sorry for him to have to be out so long. He is a guy I love to watch. I just wish everyone was healthy……sigh……I am anxious for his come back. Hope he makes a good showing at USO. I’m just sick about Rafa. I’ll bet the USO will not be on his calendar after all………Oh, well……I will survive……I have before!!

July 30th, 2014 at 9:30 pm

@Emily

Above post should have been directed to you….

July 30th, 2014 at 9:58 pm

Polo,
I never said(or meant to say) it was the wrong type, he obviously has had success, but not the ideal body for Tennis in regards to injuries. Then I think of Tommy Haas who has more of a very lean body but he has had his share of injuries so go figure.
I am referring to more of this body type that would be proned to injury. Think “The Rock” vs Gumby. Who’s going to be more flexible and less prone to injury playing Tennis? Wish we had some Tennis players here to chime in……ugh,
@RZ one can only speculate but at the least he’d be on the scene more to play, thus more success.
Regarding the style, no one else can / create the RPM on the FH like Rafa, so it is his body type or technique? Probably a combo thereof…
@mem,
oh, so now can we talk about you?

July 31st, 2014 at 12:01 am

There’s no more I can say. I warn people who’re creating hysteric amnesia saying Nadal will win more grandslams. I warn them, Nadal is destined to win no more than 15 grandslams even if his career extends beyond 30. May be French open 2014 is last slam, if he’s to retire early. @ hippy chich, I still have found in my assesment, injury and form collapse may not encourage Rafa to take part 2016 Rio Olympics. So, don’t have much expectation. All Rafa fan expecting him to topple Roger’s Grandslam record should be careful, as that won’t happen, his high career point will be his French open record and his immense h2h record against Roger in his career. He may not win French open 2015 and then retirement will get into head like motorbiker’s fear not to go for riding after a gut wrenching accident. What’s lotted can’t be blotted, in Rafa, it’s not in his fate to win more than 15 grandslams and if injury continues 15 may not happen too. And, people bashing Roger mentioning his age factor and downbeat performance in final, he’ll win 18 soon within an year. So, have rest and feel happy that Rafa will retire as one of greats ever played this game. Btw, the Goat owner is miles behind for being a Goat and Federer’s Goat legacy is somewhat debilitating unless he wins French open again, which I think unlikely to happen. So, tennis fan should neither dub Rafa as a GOAT nor should they babble Roger being the GOAT. In order to be deemed as GOAT in proper way, Roger should have won ’06 and ’11 FO final against Nadal, those matches were in his racket he played three great sets and then surrendered to his nemesis again. Nadal will be GOAT if he retires with 18 grandslams, for that he should win AO second time, another 1-2 Hardcourt slam may be US open, one more wimbledon and at least One year end Barclys ATP 1500 trophy in Indoor and that’ll never ever happen….

July 31st, 2014 at 12:15 am

@skeezer “Then I think of Tommy Haas who has more of a very lean body but he has had his share of injuries so go figure.” Yes, that is because it is not your “body type” that determines your injury rate. Things that might figure into it? Genetics (but more to do with things like the thickness of your connective tissue and your synovial fluid than your shape), training techniques, equipment, age (at a certain point) and yes, Lady Luck. If you twist your wrist this way instead of that and something tears slightly, whose fault is that? Sometimes these things just happen. As an athletic person, I can say they happen pretty damned often to mere mortals . . .

At least the conversation on this board is on a somewhat higher level than elsewhere, where it’s just a hate fest. I’ll never understand why people feel the need to gloat over a player’s injuries (no matter the player). There are plenty of players I’m not that crazy about watching, but I surely don’t wish them ill . . .

July 31st, 2014 at 12:21 am

This is a disaster of epic proportions for Rafa and his Team. Now there are question marks hanging over as to whether he would be fit even for the US Open ? That means he might go on to lose over 4,000 points in such an eventuality. That is really tragic. Rafa is paying for his extraordinary success last year and that is how far the point system is unfair to its defenders. Now many will understand as to why it is so tough to be consistent at No.1 ? It is more easy to become No.1 than to defend it. You not only have to play consistently well, but also to be fully fit to have any chance of defending your points. But still some naively dismiss the No.1 ranking to figure in the GOAT discussions ?

July 31st, 2014 at 12:46 am

How many years Rafa has missed playing due to injuries ? He has had a topsy turvy journey so far in his career. And that is really depressing to learn for if he had been fit, you never know what he is set to achieve ? He was in murderous form in 2008 and early 2009 then just tapered away after his demoralizing loss in the 4th round to Soderling, only to skip his title defense at Wimbledon. Yet again after a splendid 2010 and stopped by a rampaging Novak in 2011, he withered away in 2012 only to come back strong and lose his way once again. The vicious cycle just is repeating much to the consternation of Rafa.

July 31st, 2014 at 12:55 am

Maybe, just maybe, Rafa is paying the price for playing 18 months without proper brake. He has never done that before, and he is not any younger. Nole doesn’t play 250 ones for a years now (last he played 2011 Serbia Open for obvious reason) and only two 500 ones (Dubai, Bejing). I am to laisy to check but I am sure Rafa played more tournaments than Nole last and more this year.

July 31st, 2014 at 1:02 am

Shame about Rafa. Wrist injuries are horrible :(

July 31st, 2014 at 1:07 am

did Nadal injured his wrist while playing Poker?

or he really injured himself to stay playing Poker?

July 31st, 2014 at 1:19 am

It’s a bad injury at a wrong time, when Rafa is at a stage in his career where he seems to prosper well during the USO series. Had very high expectation from him on both masters and USO. Looks like it would be tough for him to compete on atleast 2 masters. Fingers crossed for USO.

But maybe, this break could propel him to great heights during the Indoor season. Probably for the first time, with enough break in the mid season he could win WTF and probably a indoor masters.

July 31st, 2014 at 1:28 am

@1:02am,
“break” not “brake”…

July 31st, 2014 at 1:38 am

Laura Robson is quite well known, on account of that run in the USO a while back, but she’s hardly a “top player”.

When they refer to “casts”, surely that no longer applies. Plaster isn’t used now for small localised injuries, is it?

As for you two people flaunting your longevity, at 79 years and 7 months, I bet I’m the oldest around here. I certainly feel it.

July 31st, 2014 at 1:45 am

Tennis Lover(with a space) long post to get your point across,FYI i never claimed Rafa to be the GOAT,and TBH the whole subject is beyond boring now anyway,and im losing interest now after the gazillionth thread on the topic,evidentally you,Trufan,and Jamies pyschic know more than the rest of us when it comes to what will happen in the future,the rest of us have to simply wait and see as we dont know,but been as your a bigger expert than me,can i ask for this weeks winning lottery numbers im skint and could well use a few million?

July 31st, 2014 at 1:59 am

@Colin,

“When they refer to “casts”, surely that no longer applies. Plaster isn’t used now for small localised injuries, is it?”

These days, cast can refer to any stiff immobilization device. Plastic would be more common for this type of injury since you can remove it for therapy, etcetera.

July 31st, 2014 at 2:09 am

“Yes, that is because it is not your “body type” that determines your injury rate.” Not saying an “injury rate”. That is you sayin this.
However, your body type CAN play a role, you cannot ignore it to your sport. You need to sculpt it to the sport. Tennis requires more flexibilty with strength, than …muscles. Ignoring the key elements in tennis fitness is just playing dice with injuries. Flexibilty, footwork and stroke timing are key. It is not luck that players like Fed or Nole have a better injury “rate”.
…so in my imo it matters.

July 31st, 2014 at 2:09 am

@Colin
I broke a small bone in my wrist a couple of years ago. Hospital put it in heavy duty splint which prevented me from bending/using it. Said “casts” not used any more.
Took ages and ages :(

July 31st, 2014 at 2:12 am

can we all universally agree to dismiss the all-time most useless abbreviation ever introduced into the lexicon of tennis?

goat. what a waste of time and energy.

July 31st, 2014 at 2:15 am

Emily nice to see you here,nice post regarding Rafa thanks for that,anyway i hope both he and Delpo are both fit fot the USO :-))….

July 31st, 2014 at 2:19 am

Andrea here/here well said….

July 31st, 2014 at 2:20 am

http://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/news/227625-milos-raonic-says-some-licking-their-chops-at-rafael-nadal-s-possible-absence-from-us-open?
Some kind words from Berdy and Tourney Director.

July 31st, 2014 at 3:55 am

@Andrea @2:15

I agree 100%……How many times has this issue been cussed and discussed?? Too many to count. Let’s move on people!

July 31st, 2014 at 7:41 am

@Colin

I knew you weren’t a pup…..your knowledge of the English language told me so! Lol Don’t we get smarter the older we get or is it wiser? Two of us raised our hands……after all age is only a number! Always enjoy your posts, btw.

July 31st, 2014 at 7:53 am

Rafans. Rafa is practising FH’s. I guess that’s all he can do, but at least he is on court.
Vamos Rafa!

July 31st, 2014 at 8:00 am

OH DEAR!!!! SADDDDDDD!

July 31st, 2014 at 8:35 am

@Colin
I most certainly defer to ‘your’ longevity. I’ll need to keep breathing until 2030 to reach that milestone.
Cheers!

July 31st, 2014 at 8:52 am

Wog boy,

You are right, Djoko is playing only the mandatory tournaments and 2 500, Beijing and Dubai.

This year alone Nadal played 12 tournaments while Djokovic 8. Last year Nadal played 19 to Novak’s 16.

This was the longest he played with no interruption, From February 2013 to July 2014 (Wimbledon).
If he skips US Open, it will be third straight year that he can’t play all 4 Slams as he missed US Open in 2012 and AO in 2013. Hope he can play, his chances will be diminished but is not like he will lose form completely with 2-3 weeks break. Djokovic had a wrist injury (minor compared to this) during clay season, skipped Madrid and was able to win Rome after a 3 week break. Of course masters is 5 matches best of 3 and Slam are 7 best of 5. But as Nirmal said if not for US HC Swing he can be renewed for indoor season, while Djoko would be becoming a father in a delicate time.

July 31st, 2014 at 10:10 am

”Alison,
Yes, he is that good to have amassed all that with the body type he has. If he had a Fec or Nole type frame, he most likely would have more Slams than Fed by now.”

admin, somebody has hacked skeezer’s account. please let him know.

July 31st, 2014 at 10:33 am

With nothing to do for a few weeks, I am going to pop out 3 twins in 3 weeks.

#catchingup#

July 31st, 2014 at 2:28 pm

@Skeezer — the thing about your opinion is that it isn’t based on factuality. You could also say that you believe eating gazpacho soup causes injuries, but that doesn’t make it so.

A couple things: 1) Nadal doesn’t carry much more body mass than Federer, Djokovic or Murray for that matter. All weigh within 10 pounds of one another, at similar heights, so we’re not in fact talking about major differences in body type at all. (Have you ever seen them, in person, standing next to each other?) If “the Rock” played tennis at that level that would be an entirely different story, as he weighs 80-100 pounds more, but he doesn’t. 2) There is a TON of scientific literature on sports injuries (because they are so common) but I still can’t find a single study that suggests a slightly more muscular upper body leads to ulnar-sided wrist avulsions. There is however, evidence that hyper-mobility (I.e. excess flexibility) can lead to repeated tendon and joint injuries.

July 31st, 2014 at 2:34 pm

Ruby,

Discussing some high level stuff with Dr. Skeeze. I see.

I would like to remind you that some cats like to get dirty with mud. They derive joy from it.

July 31st, 2014 at 2:44 pm

@ Humble Rafa, LOL, I’m sure I’m whistling in the wind. Cats will be cats . . .

July 31st, 2014 at 4:29 pm

Just checked Canada Masters site and noted that the big 4 have won the tournament the last 10 years. Nadal and Djoko have 3 titles and Fed and Murray 2. With Nadal out let’s see if the other 3 will continue the monopoly.

July 31st, 2014 at 4:29 pm

Another interesting fact: Djokovic won his last 7 Masters finals, plus last 2 WTF finals as well.

July 31st, 2014 at 4:56 pm

Daniel,

Thanks, even with four tournaments less then Rafa this year, Nole managed to get back to #1, respect No1e!!

One more thing, when you see this stats, it is laughable to claim (like some of his fans on TX do), that Rafa doesn’t care abut #1, he cares very much but couldn’t hold to it despite playing all tournaments he could play. He was even ready to play Basel last year but pulled out when he realised that chances of Nole overtaking him after WTF were very slim.

July 31st, 2014 at 7:21 pm

Wogboy the number 1 rankings gone for the year for Rafa ,Noles got it back and most probably will end the year number 1 just be happy for him,,Rafa might care about the no 1 ranking as im sure they all do?but ATM some of us here are more concerned with his injury and whether or not he will play the USO rather than where hes ranked,i know some are thinking probably hoping he doesnt play but i think that makes people sad and not true fans of the sport IMO,im sure the ranking will be least of his worries been fit for the USO is top of his concerns ATM….

August 1st, 2014 at 5:30 am

Rafa entered Basel last year after much cajoling from the tourney organisers. I did observe that the invitation was not extended to joker who was #1 at the time. After the illustrious 2013 season Rafa enjoyed no doubt he was exhausted by the time Basel came round, hence his withdrawal. It had nothing to do with the #1 ranking. It’s really hilarious that had joker entered and played just ONE 250 tourney he would have capped the #1 ranking last year. There were only a few points separating the two of them. Then again hindsight is a wonderful thing, is it not?

August 1st, 2014 at 5:57 am

Im actually hoping Murray can also get back on trackand get back into the winners circle,nobody seems to care and everybody seems to have forgotten about him,he is also a very good HC player,and has also won the USO,just wondering why hes all of a sudden been completely written off?

August 1st, 2014 at 6:32 am

Sorry about the l at the end of my monikor,just a typing error….

August 1st, 2014 at 6:35 am

I will never write Andy off, he is too good a player. Hope he gives joker a good fight and eventually prevails.
Go Muzz while Rafa is nursing his wrist.

August 1st, 2014 at 6:59 am

2015 probably to be his last year

http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/column-octozone-rafael-nadal-will-make-a-stunning-comeback-1785645

August 1st, 2014 at 7:27 am

Frankie its a tennis forum not an astrology forum,for gods sake cant the players themselves choose when they want to retire dear me some people really do take pleasure in others misery?i think his fans will be dissapionted enough if he doesnt play they USO,without actually pontificating about his retirement?

August 1st, 2014 at 8:55 am

HC,

Tennis is a what have you done for me lately sport, and lately Murray hasn’t done much. No titles and no top 10 victory. Even with his pedigree and HC credentials he will have to climb the news circle the hard way, winning matches. He needs to be in later round of this matches, because once there he can beat both Fed and Djoko.

August 1st, 2014 at 9:18 am

Happy Chic,

Mind your spelling just like you mind the gap when you board a train.

August 1st, 2014 at 12:49 pm

frankie, kid, Indian astrologer Lobo predicted that Messi and Argentina will win World Cup 2014 and Germany manager and captain, Low and Lahm had bad astrology.
We know now what happen. Lol!

August 1st, 2014 at 2:34 pm

Ah, he also predicted that Atletico Madrid would win the Champions League.
Yeah, right!

August 1st, 2014 at 2:37 pm

When is Toronto draw coming out, today or tomorrow? Curious to see who will get Murray in Quarters, Djoko or Fed. Most likely they seeded 1 and 2 and Murray 8, one of the two will get him. Unless he lands in Wawa, but I can’t remember the #4 seed drawing #8 in a long long time. SO one of top 3 will get Murray and it may be a cracker of a match.

August 1st, 2014 at 3:29 pm

Daniel tennis is a case of what have you done lately,and im well aware of that,im just hoping he reverses the trend and gets back on track,im just looking for some positive results for him,as i dont see anything wrong in hoping for one of my favorites to do well,even if it is a lost cause,if thats ok?

August 1st, 2014 at 4:28 pm

HC,

Don’t need the tone at the end of your last reply. Seems to me you are too defensive lately or misinterpreting what I write. Nobody is arguing nothing and you can cheer who you want. You pose a question in a forum as why nobody was talking about Murray and I replied, simple as that.
I too want him in the end of tourneys regularly, he just has to start winning more.

August 1st, 2014 at 5:06 pm

Sorry Daniel your probably right,i have had a bad week in the real world,and got out of bed on the wrong side,a few times this week,still no need to take these things out on everyone else….

August 1st, 2014 at 5:29 pm

[…] defending champion Rafael Nadal out of action due to a sudden bum wrist, the only real drama with the Toronto draw would be where 2-time tournament champion Andy Murray […]

August 1st, 2014 at 6:15 pm

“It’s really hilarious that had joker entered and played just ONE 250 tourney he would have capped the #1 ranking last year. There were only a few points separating the two of them. Then again hindsight is a wonderful thing, is it not?”

It is really hilarious to read stupid posts from not informed posters. In 2013, No1e played four DC matches, won all eight of his matches and earned as many points as if he played and won two 250 ones not just one.
What was that about hindsight? I can’t hear you!!

August 1st, 2014 at 7:44 pm

Post July 31st at 1.02 am says “Nole doesn’t play 250 ones for a years now ( last he played was 2011 Serbia Open for obvious reasons)….. ”
Lol. But he did NOT in fact play any 250 tourneys did he? If he had he would have secured the #1 y/e ranking which is something he was working his butt off for.
Not complaining. Glad he didn’t otherwise roles would have been reversed. So well done joker for playing one less tourney, a mere 250 event. What a difference one tourney makes!! Lol

August 2nd, 2014 at 3:40 am

Wogboy no harm or foul,because we have always got on really well,but just to repeat what i said yesterday,in that i doubt Rafa and his fans are very concerned with the number 1 ranking at this particular moment in time,more concerned with whether or not he will play the USO,Novak has pretty much sealed the deal anyway as far as the number 1 ranking goes for the year,why not just be happy for him?

August 2nd, 2014 at 6:40 am

HC,
All is good here, appart of my rugby team losing three in a row.

August 2nd, 2014 at 7:46 am

Wogboy which rugby team?TBH im still smarting over LVC not winning the EPL,stealing defeat out of the jaws of victory,and gifting MCFC that title grrrr….

August 2nd, 2014 at 7:57 am

It is rugby league (not rugby union) club from Sydney, Canterbury Bulldogs.

As for LVC, I thought we had it and then Mourinho came to Anfield and parked two buses infont of Chelsea goal and that was it. After that match it was finished. I knew we will not get it.

August 2nd, 2014 at 8:18 am

Wogboy yeah too right and a Stephen Gerrard balls up against Crystal Palace,just glad they ended the season with a win anyway,i could never get into Rugby somehow,always have loved football and tennis though,have watched quite a lot of different sports during the commonweath games,triathlon is quite exciting and netball,and your Australian girls are creaming all and sundry in the netball….

August 2nd, 2014 at 8:26 am

I prefer beach volleyball (girls), it is easy on the eyes:)

August 2nd, 2014 at 8:34 am

@Wog Boy ^^^

Easy there cowboy…….what about the guys and Speedos?? We women folk don’t want you guys to have all the fun……lol

August 2nd, 2014 at 8:48 am

Wogboy/Okiegal i enjoy watching the male swimmers and divers for the same reason,good looking guys with buff bodies,in tight speedos oh my WOW….

August 2nd, 2014 at 8:58 am

LOL are we a bunch of perverts on this forum sometimes :))….

August 2nd, 2014 at 9:00 am

Living at the seaside i have the beach right on my doorstep,it can be most enjoyable to sea the male windserfers peeling of their wetsuits this time of the year :))….

August 2nd, 2014 at 9:12 am

Polo Says:
“By the way, Nadal’s body type has allowed him to win 14 majors and dominate the guy who has 17. I guess that’s not exactly a wrong body type for tennis”.

July 30th, 2014 at 6:57 pm

What a lot of boring posts at teh moment, (probably I will add to that, before mem and giles retort).

I mean, Polo, yes. I would have to agree with you, but make a further comment to yours, ..dominate the guy..”on clay”. That’s about it really. Polo, do we have to start that old chestnut? Keep it to the fedal wars, eh?

It is really not good that rafa is injured – again. I wonder what it is? His body breaking down? Somehow though, I don’t believe that, because whatever happens through his injuries, he comes back, bigger, better, stronger. So I don’t think for one moment he won’t get well. Let’s face it as well. It cannot be that serious. All well and good posting an instagram with him wearing a splint, but if it waas that serious, he would not even be able to practice. So some common sense is required here. It will be a minor injury and in all honesty, he should rest it. By practising further on an injury, isn’t that just making it even worse?

It must take all his energies to win RG, because from then on, he is not the same player. He plays, sure. He completes, sure, but he is not the player he was at RG.

Somehow though, I think USOpen, he will be one of the favourites, even though he always puts himself down.

Hippy, it is a big disappointment that he is not playing, but as you seem to know the most about him, what is your take on his injury. Have you ever known rafa to have an injury “in prctice”, only that I haven’t. I went to see him practice in the Rome masters a couple of years ago. His practice sessions are brutal, aggressive and without compassion.

How did this happen?

August 5th, 2014 at 9:42 am

Madmax, I am not interested in engaging in the Fedal wars because as a Federer fan, I can only lose in a direct person to person comparison. However, I want to correct the misconception that Nadal dominates Federer only on clay as you seemed to insinuate. This is a misconception as their record against each other stand at 13 and 2 on clay, 9 and 6 on hardcourts, both in Nadal’s favor, and 1 and 2 on grass. So it is only on grass where Federer has an edge and only by 1. (I told you, I will lose on this fedal direct comparison debate).

By the way, is there a different body type for different body surfaces? Because Nadal’s body type seems perfectly suited for that being that he holds all the records there. And he keeps coming back stronger and better, does that mean his body type keeps evolving? What about Nishikori whose body type looks closer to Federer’s than Nadal’s? Why does it keep breaking down?

August 5th, 2014 at 10:47 am

…perfectly suited for clay being that…

August 5th, 2014 at 10:48 am

Madmax no i dont know more about him than anybody else,in fact i didnt even know about this injury till Frankie brought it up,as my life doesnt revolve around all things Nadal or tennis,so i dont know how it happened ,and im tired of the speculation,when push comes to shove all i care about is his participation in the USO ATM?
As for whether his body is the type suited for tennis i dont know that either,other than regardless of his shortcomings,its still won him 14 GS,that a strong work ethic and sheer determination,with only one man in history with more he must have done something right,my two cents?

August 5th, 2014 at 12:33 pm

Polo, thanks for the commentary.

Alison, i am sure he will recover. He always does.

August 5th, 2014 at 1:21 pm

@Madmax

I’m not ippy but how did what happen?? How did Novak’s wrist injury happen? How did DelPo’ s happen? Enquiring minds want to know….

August 5th, 2014 at 1:41 pm

^^^Should say Hippy…..

August 5th, 2014 at 1:43 pm